Red Sox place Clay Buchholz on DL, recall Alex Wilson from Pawtucket

The Red Sox placed right-hander Clay Buchholz on the 15-day disabled list with a hyperextended left knee after a bullpen prior to Wednesday night’s contest against the Atlanta Braves. The team was using the bullpen session to determine whether Buchholz would be able to make his next scheduled start on Saturday, whether he would need to miss a single start or if he would need to go on the DL — mindful of both the injury and the fact that the pitcher’s confidence was down considerably.

“We had a chance to sit down and meet with him before he went out on the field. But we’re going to be cautious. We don’t want to put him at risk of any further injury, whether that’s to the knee or it shows up elsewhere. As a pitcher, we’ve got to be careful,” said manager John Farrell. “[His confidence is] not at its peak. I think that goes without saying. Those are some of the things that we continually work with him on, both in terms of the approach that we take with other starters here and dealing with the mental side of the game, as well as other resources. … Bottom line, [his struggles come down to] in-game adjustments and execution that it boils down to.”

Buchholz has endured a horrific start to this season, posting a 7.02 ERA (the worst in the majors) and 1.98 WHIP in 50 innings pitched. Opponents are currently hitting .339 off of the 29-year-old.

Manager John Farrell said that Buchholz sustained the injury in the final inning of his outing against the Braves on Monday.

“He did it in the pitch in his final inning, hyperextended his left knee, his left foot gave out a little bit. [Catcher A.J. Pierzynski] went out to the mound because he saw it, saw the flight of the baseball, saw the delivery not be finished accurately,” said Farrell. “We attempted — we were on our way out to go check, and Clay waved us off and said he was fine, but there was soreness from the hyperextension when he came out of the game. That’s where today’s bullpen is going to be significant in determining where he’s at physically.”

To take Buchholz’s spot on the roster, the team called up reliever Alex Wilson from Pawtucket. Wilson is being called up for the third time this season. In his one appearance this season, Wilson went one inning, walking one batter, allowing no hits and striking out nobody. Wilson has been strong in Pawtucket so far this season, posting a 1.42 ERA in 19 innings pitched over 18 appearances. Wilson has walked 12 batters while striking out 21 and opponents have hit just .182 off of the righty.